Sorting machine



' Filed Jan. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 144x11; o'c

Oct. 29, 1929. w, cox, JR 1,733,217

SORTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 abfoznug S Oct. 29, 1929.

G. w. cox, JR

SORTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet QwrGeJl CZuyTr:

Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT QFEICE enonsn w. cox, an, or nsnrneron,

DISTRICT or COLUMBIA, AssIGnon. ro

ba omet r Qr'eeLeWe SORTING MACHINE Application filed January 3, 1925. Serial No. 330.

This invention relates to machines for sorting promiscuously arranged articles, such as checks, invoices, receipts, or any papers carrying classifying or identifying data, such as numbers, letters, names or symbols, or any combinations of such identifying data.

The present construction is based upon certain features shown in Letters Patent Nos. 1,533,697 and 1,533,698,issuedto me on April 14:, 19:25, in that itconteinplates the utilization of a plurality of leaves or separator eleinents which are moved to provide a space for the reception of the article being sorted, and a key-board provided with keys which bear indicia in consonance with the designations carried by the articles being sorted; In said patents, as in the present application, it is the object of the invention .to actuate a key and thereby cause the provision of a space which is classified for the reception of the particular article which is .to be sorted.

In -boththe aforesaid patents, the construction is such that the movement of a key to operative posit-ion causes the simultaneous provision of a plurality of spaces classified in accordance with certain indicialcarried by the article being sorted, anclthe article is deposited in that space which is classified in accordance with other indicia ried by the article.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide means to selectively open one space only, instead of simultaneously opening a plurality of spaces, as above set forth.

In Patent No.1,533,698, is shown a plurality of reciprocable actuators, each providedwith depending lugs adapted, under reciprocation of the associated actuator, to move similarly positioned leaves throughout a plurality of groups of leaves. A carriage is mounted for reciprocation in parallelism to the plane of the actuators, and a motor and cam construction isshown so connected as to cause a constant front and rear reciprocation of thecarriage. -Means are provided whereby, in its reciprocations, only ,one actuator will be connected to the carriage, to the end that only such leaves as are in the path of movement of the lugs on the actuator, will be affectedby ,the movement of the carriage.

made apparent in the following specification 1 when read in connection with the drawings forming a part thereof. 7

:In said drawings! Figure 1 is a ,ve'rtical section taken longitudinally through a machine equipped with my invention.

Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view showing mechanism adapted to selectively any group of leaves into the plane of reciprocation of the depending lugs carried by the actuators.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a group of leaves adapted to be magnetically raised into the plane of reciprocation of the depending lugs carried by the actuators. Fig. l is a diagrammatic view illustrating the circuits connecting the solenoids of the separate groups .to the actuating selector keys.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a structure wherein a solenoid is provided for reciprog the carriage, and showing the circuits from the selector keys.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan View showing the provision of a separate solenoid for each actuator.

Fig. 7 is a' fragmentary perspective View of three adjacent leaves, and the contac ing actuators.

Fig. .8 is a fragmentary detail view showthe circuit-closing devices in position for actuation by one of the fingers carried by the actuators, and,

9 is an enlarged detail of said circuit closing devices.

Now referring specifically to the drawings, A represents the frame of the machine which is provided with a plurality of actuators B, each carryinglO depending lugs 1. A plurality of groups of leaves C are here shown, and as in the herein-referred to patents, the leaves are each provided with an upstanding projection 52, which is laterally staggered with respect to a similar projection carriedby the adjacent leaves, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. Each leaf carries one or more upwardly extending tabs C, located outside of the housing, as shown in Fig. 5.

A carriage is mounted to reciprocate in a plane immediately above the plane of reciprocation of the actuators B, said carriage being clearly shown in Patent No, l,533,698. In said patent the carriage 1s reclprocated constantly while the motor is energized. In the structure embodied in the present application however, the carriage reciprocates intermittently, as will presently appeal, said carriage being sufiiciently represented herein by the front bar 3. Each actuator carries a pivotally mounted finger 4 having a hooked end, and a key-board 5 is mounted above the fingers 4:. Keys 6 are mounted for vertical reciprocation in the key-board 5, each key being directly above one of the fingers}, and each key bearing indicia classifying it with respect to the actuator carrying the finger d1- rectly below the key. The bar 3 is reciprocable directly under the fingers 4, and a depression of any key will cause a downward movement of the finger thereunder, thereby connecting the associated actuator B with thebar 3, and, upon reciprocation of said bar 3, causing a reciprocation of that actuator only, the lugs 1 on each actuator being adapted to cause a pivotal movement of a similarly positioned leaf in each of the groups.

In the present embodiment of the invention the leaves C are arranged in groups, each group being carried in a trough-like receptacle 7, shown in Fig. 2. At each end the trough 7 carries guide members 8, vertically movable on posts 9 carried by the frame of the machine. A crank arm 10 has bearing in perforated studs 11 carried by the lower part of the frame, said arm 10 being provided with offsets 12 rotatably extending through apertured brackets 13 depending from the lower portion of the trough 7.

The outer end of the crank arm 10 is provided with an elongated fiat pressure foot 14-. Slidably mounted beneath the top of the machine and at one side thereof, is a plate 15, normally retained in position by a spring 16.

Said plate 15 is provided with ten elongated slots 17 and the frame of the machine A is also provided with registering slots. Extending downwardly through each of said slots is a stem 18, carrying a key 19 at the top,

the lower end of the stem 18 bearing upon the pressure foot 14:, all as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Each stem 18 carries, directly below the key 19, a beveled or c ammed portion 20 which bears upon the adjacent wall of the slot 17 in the plate 15. Under downward pressure upon the key, 19, the bevel 20 will cause the plate 15 to move forwardly of the machine and permit passage of the portion 20 through the slot 17, whereupon the spring 16 will cause the plate 15 to snap rearwardly over the top of the beveled portion 20, and operate as a detent to retain the key 19 in its lower position until another key is depressed to again move the plate 15 forwardly and automatically free the first-mentioned key, as will be understood.

When any one of the keys 19 is depressed the stem 18 thereof pushes downwardly upon the pressure foot 14, associated with that key, thereby causing a rotation of the arm 10, the offsets 12 operating to move the trough 7 upwardly. Such movement brings the projections 2 of the leaves G into the path of reciprocation of the lugs 1 carried by the actuators l3, and pressure upon any of the keys 6 will initiate a reciprocation of an actuator B, a nd causes a movement of a certain leaf in the raised group only, as will be clearly understood. The stem 18 will remain in the position just referred to, the trough 7 in its raised position, and the space between the moved leaf and the leaf next adj acent, will be maintained, until another of the keys 19' is depressed, as already explained. The springs C (see Fig. 7) serve to return'the leaves to normal position, after the actuator moves out of contact therewith, as explained in the patents hereinbefore referredto.

From the foregoing it is clear that I have provided means for providing one space only between the leaves, instead of simultaneously providing a plurality of similarly classified spaces in all the groups. Manifestly the provision of one space only is advantageous under some circumstances, as less power is required, a matter of considerable importance when sorting rather heavy articles and especially if most of the spaces between the leaves are already occupied.

Each of the keys 19 bears a reference character, said characters running from 0 to 9, and it is therefore possible for the operator to easily cause an upward movement of the desired group of leaves, in accordance with the indicia carried by the article being sorted.

Specifically, if the operator is sorting a check numbered 7 62, he presses, in the row of keys 19 extending longitudinally of the machine,

that key which bears the numeral 7. This operation raises the eighth group of leaves only, and a subsequent pressure upon the 62 key, in the rows of keys 6, extending laterally of the machine, will reciprocate the actuator which wil-l cause-th opening of the space classified inacoordance with the 62 i ndicia carried by said check.

iVhen thestem :18 is released, .the weight-of the group of leaves bears upon the ofisets '12 of the arm 10, and the trough 7 gravitates to a lower position such that the projections .2 of the leaves arebelowtheplane of reciprocation .of'the lugs l on the actuators B; If desired, spring mechanisms :may be provided .to assist in the immediatev restoration ofthe troughs 7 to the lower position.

l ig. 3 s-howsza construction whereby the same-guides 8 andbars?) are used, but-wherein the troughs 7 are elevated magnetically through'the use of solenoids 21, one adjacent cachcnd of the trough. Thezsolenoidsu21 are in circuit with switches, each operated by one of the ten keys -19, said'keys :being connected-to the solenoids by wires 0, 1, 2, :3, 4i 5",r'6, 7", :8 and 9' "respectively, :as shown in Fig-.4. Adepression'of any one of:saidrkeysioperatesxto cause a contactlbar :19' "to-engage a contact 19" and close the "electric circuit :of the particular trough 7, and the solenoids areenergized to upwardly project-thecores 21., in contact with the trough 7 to elevate the latter to the desired height, where itavill remain until the pressure on the "keyis released to break the cir- .eui-t. Gravity, assisted by retractive springs if desired, then .operateto restore the trough to normal; position.

Fig. '5 illustrates'the substitution ofa large "solenoid 23 for the .mot-oripand-cam shown in the aforesaid 'P-atent N0.ll,533,6198, The reciprocating carriage 24 iisntixlized in this structure, andaforward movement of the carriage, upon-a1 depression: of one of the keys 6, causes the carriage to selectively move -a-singleaactuator. Inthe patent referred :to the carriage.reciprocatesconstantly. In the present structure the core 25 of the solenoid is connected to thecarriage 2%, and

each of the keys 6 are in circuit withrthe solenoid. A depression of any key 6e11- ergizes the solenoid 23, the latter pushing the carriage 24 forwardly, the key 6 having already caused the operation of instrumentalities whereby to insure that the. forward moyement of the carriage avill automatically Joause reciprocation of. the .desired actuator.

The forward movement of'the ucarriage is limited by the stops..26"carri'ed the frame, and as long as thekeyi6 is held depressed, the solenoid Willretain the carriage in its forward position. Upon release .of..tl1e key the solenoid is de-energized, andsprings '27, surroundingthecarriage rods28, and held between the stops-=26 andzbracjkets- 29 011 .s'aid IOdS,- Will operate -;to return the -:carriage to normal position. It is'eto be noted that, in this construction, thecarriage'Q does not reciprocate until a key 6 is depressed.

Fig. 35 malso-"ashows the.;app-l;icati:on :to .the

in accordance with the indicia carried by the key, and inaccordance with the diagrammatic showing in Fig. 4:. A depression of any key .19 lifts the appropriate trough 7 so that the projections 2 of the leaves C extend into the actuators B. A depression ofthe proper key 6,1naccordance with indicia carried by the article belng sorted, cause energization of the solenoid 123 and a consequent forward movement of. the carriage 24:. The depression of the key 6 also simultaneously causes movement of the instrmnentalities shown in Patent No. 1,533,698, whereby the carriage picks up and forwardly reciprocates one actuator only, and one of the lugs 1 on the actuator engages the projectionof a leaf of the group in the raised trough 7.

:Fig. lure-shown the fingers 4, the outer ends of which are adapted to be depressed by actuation of a'key 6, to cause the hooked end of the finger to be engaged by the reciprocating bar93 connected to the carriage. As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, acontact platell is pivotally mounted on the frame of the --machine A, in such position that its edge is just below the front ends of-the fingers 4. The pl'atell extends .under all of the fingers 4i, and is provided with arms s'l carrying pins 41- which are pivotally mounted in brackets 41 supported on the frame. An angled contact bracket 4-2 is also secured to the frame of the machine, and limits the downward movement of the rearwardly extending edge of the plate 41 under depression by the fingers 4. The bracket 42 and one of the brackets 41 are .in circuit, through the wire 23 and 23 ,..with the solenoid 23. Upon a depression of one of the keys 6, the bar 3 on the carriage contacts the hooked end of the finger 4 and is pulled forwardly as be fore described. The beveled end of the finger i contacts the edge of the plate etl and depresses it-so that the .arms 41* contact the bracket 42 completing the electric circuit which energizes the solenoid .23, it being understoodthat, in'this construction, since the carriage is 'not constantly reciprocating, the bar3 isnormal'ly always to the rear ofithe hooks on the fingers at. Energization of the solenoid 23 causes a forward movement .of the finger 4, the hookedend thereof merely sliding over the plate all and maintaining the. electrical contact. As the pressure on so planeof reciprocation of the lugs 1 on the the keyl-(i is. maintained the solenoid holds the carriage in its forward position. When the pressure 1s released the end of the finger 4 rises out of contact with the plate ll under the influence of spring 4. The spring 43 operates to break the circuit to de-energize the motor, and the springs 27 pull the carriage rearwardly, and the actuator carrying the finger is returned to normal position, as described in Patent No. 1, 533,698.

Fig. 6 illustrates the provision of a separate solenoid for each actuator bar B, this construction contemplating the elimination of the carriage 24 and the hooked fingers 4. In this figure the solenoids 45 are positioned at the rear of the machine, and are arranged in two rows and in staggered relation, the rear ends of certain of the actuators extending between two adjacent solenoids, and into the solenoid in staggered position at the rear. The actuators may be provided at the rear end with insulating inserts l6, connected to the core of the solenoids.

Each solenoid 45 is in circuit with its ap propriate key 6, and a depression of a key may close the circuit in any desired manner, such as described in connection with F igs. 8 and 9, it being suiiicient to state that a depression of a key energizes a solenoid to push one actuator only and that, while said key is in circuit-closing position, the actuator will remain in its forward position and the leaf moved by said actuator will remain in opened position. Upon rel-ease of the key, springs will return the actuators to normal position, either through pressure upon the leaves, or in connection with the top or bottom of each actuator, and adapted to exert a rearward pull as shown in my Patent No. 1,533,697.

It is to be stated that, since they are required to pull or push one actuator only, small solenoids l5 are sufficient, and theymay be arranged as shown, or in banks, one row above the other, the ends of the actuators being offset if necessary. The solenoids may of course also be positioned above or below the actuators if desired, and in operative engagement with offsets of or connections to the actuators.

When the solenoid lift devices shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or the mechanical lift described in Figs. 1 and 2, are used with the structures just described, the solenoids 45 need be only strong enough to move 50 leaves, and very small structures are suificient, as will be understood.

Modifications of the structures herein disclosed may be suggested to those skilled in the art, but my invention covers all embodiments falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted in groups, actuators reciprocable in a plane adjacent said groups, each actuator being provided with means adapted to be brought into contact with certain of said elements, and means for causing relative movement between any selected group and said act-uators, whereby reciprocation of the latter may move an element in the selected group.

2A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements mounted for pivotal movement, a plurality of actuators each of which is movable transversely of and adjacent said elements, said elements being adapted each for engagement with one of the. said actuators and means for bodily shifting said elements into a position such that one of said elements may be engaged and shifted by one of said actuators.

3. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements mounted for pivotal movement, a plurality of actuators each of which is movable in a plane adjacent to and transversely of said elements, said elements being adapted each for engagement with one of said actuators and manually-operated means for bodily shifting said elements into a position such that one of said elements may be engaged and moved by one of said actuators.

4. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of movably mounted separator elements, a plurality of movable actuators, meansfor operatively moving any of said actuators in a planewhioh is in proximity to said elements, said elements being adapted each for engagement with one of said actuators, and means for causing relative bodily movement between the elements and actuators whereby operative movement of one of the latter will engage and shift one of the former from normal position.

5. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements mounted in groups for individual movement, an actuator reciprocable in a plane adjacent said groups and adapted to shift an element of each group upon contact therewith, and means for selectively and bodily'moving any separate group into position such that said element in said group may be engaged and moved by said actuator.

6. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements mounted adjacent to each other and adapted for movement to provide a space between any two adjacent elements, a pluralityof actuators reciprocably mounted adjacent said elements and each adapted to move an element upon contact therewith, means for moving said elements into the path of reciprocation of said actuators, means for reciprocating aselected actuator whereby to cause it to con tact and shift an element from normal position, and means for restoring said element to normal position.

7. A sorting machine comprising a plu-' movement between said actuators and said elements, whereby reciprocation of an actuator will contact and shift one of said elements from a normal position, instrumentalities for reciprocating any selected actuator, said instrumentalities being adapted to retain said element in its shifted position and to thereafter release said element, and means for restoring said element to a normal posi tion.

8. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted adjacent to each other in groups, a plurality of actuators mounted for reci.proca tion in a plane adjacent said groups and each adapted to move an element of each group upon contact therewith, a key-board adapted by selective operation of one of the keys thereof to cause relative movement between any selected group and an actuator, whereby reciprocation of the latter may move an element of said group, and additional means adapted for operation to cause reciprocation of any selected actuator.

9. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted adjacent to each other in groups, aplurality of actuators mounted for reciprocation in a plane adjacent said groups, each actuator being equipped with means adapted for contact with an element in each group, a key-board, a set of keys carried by the board each of said keys being adapted for operation to cause such relative movement between aselected group and said actuators that the elements of said group shall extend into the plane of reciprocation of the actuators, and a second set of keys each of which is adapted for operation to cause reciprocation of a selected actuator only, whereby to cause said actuator to contact with and shift an element of said selected group.

10. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted adjacent to each other in groups, a plurality of actuators reciprocably mounted adjacent said groups, each actuator being equipped with means adapted for contact with an element of each group, a key-board, a set of keys on said board each of which is adapted for operation to move a selected group into the path of reciprocation of said actuators, and a second set of keys each of which is adapted for operation to cause reciprocation of a selected actuator, whereby to cause the latter to contact with and shift an element of said selected group.

11. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted side by side in groups, a plurality of actuators reciprocably mounted adjacent to and above the several groups, each actuator being provided with means adapted for contact with an element of each group, means for selectively reciprocating each actuator, and means for vertically raising any selected group into the plane of reciprocation of said actuators.

12. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted in groups, a plurality of actuators reciprocably mounted over the several groups and each provided with a plurality of downward-- 1y extending lugs each adapted for contact with an element of one of said groups means for selectively raising each group into the plane of reciprocation of said lugs, comprising a key for each group, a receptacle enclosing each group, a crank-arm pivotally secured to each receptacle and provided witha laterally extending lever, and a shaft carried by each key and resting upon one of said levers whereby pressure upon the key will elevate the associated group.

13. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted in groups, a plurality of reciprocable actuators extending transversely above all the groups each provided with a lug adapted for contact with an element of each group, means for selectively elevating each group into the path of reciprocation of the actuators, and means for selectively reciprocating any actuator.

14:. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted in groups, a plurality of reciprocable actuators extending transversely above said groups, each actuator being provided with a lug adapted for contact with an element of each group, means associated with each group adapted for operation to raise said group into the path of reciprocation of said actuators, and to automatically retain said group in its raised position, and means for selectively reciprocating any actuator.

15. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted in groups, a plurality of reciprocable actuators extending transversely above said groups and each provided with means adapted for contact with an element of each group, means associated with each group adapted for operation to raise said group into the path of reciprocation of said actuators, and to automatically retain in said group in its raised position, said means being adapted by the elevation of one group to automatically release any previously raised group, and means for selectively reciprocating said actuators.

16. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements pivotally mounted in groups, a plurality of actuators mounted for reciprocation adjacent said elements and provided with means adapted for contact with an element of each group, means for causing relative movement between said elements and said actuators whereby the former may be contacted by the latter in their reciprocations, means for reciprocating selected actuators to shift certain elements only from a normal position, said means also operating to retain said elements in their shifted position until released, means adapted for operation to release said elements, and means for restoring said elements to normal position.

17. A sorting machine comprising a plurality of separator elements movably mounted in groups, a plurality of actuators mounted for reciprocation in a plane spaced from said elements, a row of lugs carried by each actuator and so located that, under reciprocation of its actuator, each lug passes in close proximity to one element only in each group, means for selectively causing such relative movement between any group and said actuators that the elements of said group will be in the plane of reciprocation of said lugs, and means for reciprocating a selected actuator whereby to move a particular element in said group, to separate it from the adjacent element.

18. A sorting machine comprising a housing, a multiplicity of separator elements movably mounted within said housing, each carrying a tab located outside of the housing, and means adapted to contact one element only to separate the tab carried thereby from the tab of an adjacent element.

19. A sorting machine comprising a housing, a multiplicity of separator elements movably mounted in juxtaposed parallelism Within the housing, each element carrying an integral tab positioned outside of the housing, and means for forcibly contacting one element only to separate the tab carried thereby from the adjacent tab.

20. A sorting machine comprising a housing, a multiplicity of separator elements movably mounted in juxtaposed parallelism within the housing, each element carrying an integral tab positioned outside of the housing, and means adapted for movement to forcibly contact and move one element only whereby to separate the tab carried thereby from the adjacent tab, and to temporarily retain said element in its shifted position.

21. A sorting machine comprising a housing, a multiplicity of separator elements mounted within and extending outside of the housing and each provided with a tab aligned with a similar tabon the adjacent element whereby to form a row of tabs arranged inparallelism, electrically operated mechanisms adapted to actuate any of said GEORGE w. coX, JR. 

